when Pharaoh reneges on his commitment to let his slaves go, look at the language the Torah uses to express this turn of events: And Pharaoh hardened his heart… (Exodus 8:11) It’s the first time the text uses that language. All of a sudden, the Torah characterizes Pharaoh’s decision to hold on to his slaves as an act of stubbornness. What earlier was seen as courage is now deemed blind obstinacy.
